DUTCH ROYAL FAMILY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28009, 2 July 1956, Page 3

DUTCH ROYAL FAMILY

Inquiry Into Recent Rumours QUEEN AND PRINCE “ SADDENED” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) THE HAGUE. June 30. A communique signed by Quccfi Juliana and Prince Bernhard yesterday says that they are disappointed and saddened by foreign newspaper rcoorts about their private life. The Queen and her husband have decided to set up a three-man committee to investigate the circumstances which have led to these reports. The communique says: “The way in which people abroad have considered it permissible to publicly report on our family life and relations in our immediate surroundings has disappointed and saddened us both. We consider that an investigation into the circumstances which have led to this is desirable.

“We are hatfpy to have found Professor L. J. M. Beel, Professor P. S. Gerbrandy, and Jonkheer A. W. L. T. .Tarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer prepared to conduct this investigation and to counsel us.”

The communique came as a surprise. For the last week Government spokesmen have repeatedly said that no further communiques were to be issued.

Foreign newspapers recently have said a faith healer called in by Queen Juliana had caused a rift in the Royal Family.

Shortly after 10 a.m. the Government Information Service released a statement to the newspapers signed by the Queen and the Prince. Five minutes later all newspapers and agencies were ordered not to print the communique, which had to be returned to the Government Information Service. A Government spokesman

•?aid that additions had to be made to it. Asked on whose authority the communique had been withdrawn, he said that the head of the Information Service. acting for the Queen, had given the order.

The second communique was issued two hours later

Two weeks ago Dr. Willem Drees, the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister, denied foreign newspaper reports that Queen Juliana was seeking a divorce, or had caused a constitutional crisis through her association with a faithhoaler. He said the relationship between the Queen and Miss Greet Hofmans. a 61-year-old faith-healer, wr" “not open to discussion.”